stmas morning coasting. They were on time for
luncheon--and with appetites!

The meal was half over when Osaki appeared with a telegram, which he
handed to the Dowager. She read it with agitated surprise and passed it
to Miss Sallie, who raised her eyebrows and handed it to Miss Wadsworth,
who was thrown into a very visible flutter.

"What on earth can it be?" Kid wondered.

"Lordy's eloped, and they've got to hunt for a new Latin teacher," was
Patty's interpretation.

As the three girls left the table, the Dowager waylaid Harriet.

"Step into my study a moment. A telegram has just come--"

Patty and Kid climbed the stairs in wide-eyed wonder.

"It can't be bad news, for Miss Sallie was smiling--" meditated Patty.
"And I can't think of any good news that can be happening to Harriet."

Ten minutes later there was the sound of footsteps on the stairs, and
Harriet burst into Patty's room wild with excitement.

"He's coming!"

"Who?"

"My father."

"When?"

"Right now--this afternoon--He's been in New York on business, and is
coming to see me for Christmas."

"I'm so glad!" said Patty heartily. "Now, you see the reason he hasn't
come before is because he has been away off in Mexico."

Harriet shook her head, with a sudden drop in her animation.

"I suppose he thinks he ought."

"Nonsense!"

"It's so. He doesn't care for me--really. He likes girls to be jolly and
pretty and clever like you."

"Well, then--_be_ jolly and pretty and clever like me."

Harriet's eyes sought the mirror, and filled with tears.

"You're a perfect idiot!" said Patty, despairingly.

"I'm an awful fright in my green dress," said Harriet.

"Yes," Patty grudgingly conceded. "You are."

"The skirt is too short, and the waist is too long."

"And the sleeves are sort of queer," said Patty.

Faced by these dispiriting facts, she felt her enthusiasm ebbing.

"What time is he coming?" she asked.

"Four o'clock."

"That gives us two hours," Patty rallied her forces. "One can do an
awful lot in two hours. If you were only nearer my size, you could wear
my new pink dress--but I'm afraid--" She regarded Harriet's long legs
dubiously. "I'll tell you!" she added, in a rush of generosity. "We'll
take out the tucks and let down the hem."

"Oh, Patty!" Harriet was tearfully afraid of spoiling the gown. But when
Patty's zeal in any cause was roused, all other considerations were
swept aside. The new frock was fetched from the clos